Makruk ( Thai Chess )

Among the different “relatives” of chess, Thai Chess is one that you can play with a basic chess set without any modifications in terms of equipment.

Makruk is easy to learn given your basic understanding of chess moves. The major differences : The bishop  moves like the silver general in Shogi ( one square diagonally in all directions or one square forward, like a pawn. The queen moves like fers in Shatranj , one square diagonally in all directions. ) Pawns are placed on the third rank but  can move only one square forward on the first move. They move and capture the same way as pawns in chess and  are promoted once they reach the 6^th rank and promotion to queen is the only option. The only complicated thing about Makruk is the situation in which no pawns are left on board. The counting rules come into play at this point.

For further details, refer to

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makruk

For those willing to try to game, you can play it online against human or computer opponents on PyChess 🙂 

https://www.pychess.org/

I'm used to play Makruk on PlayOk site (all free, few small ads) :

https://www.playok.com/en/makruk/

It's a great game, I like it, but TBH I still prefer Shatranj !!

Let's the Elephants be real Elephants, and not Silver Generals or other weird things...